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The Second Edition of Practical Program Evaluation shows readers how to systematically identify stakeholders’ needs in order to select the evaluation options best suited to meet those needs. Within his discussion of the various evaluation types, Huey T. Chen details a range of evaluation approaches suitable for use across a program’s life cycle. At the core of program evaluation is its body of concepts, theories, and methods. This revised edition provides an overview of these, and includes expanded coverage of both introductory and more cutting-edge techniques within six new chapters. Illustrated throughout with real-world examples that bring the material to life, the Second Edition provides many new tools to enrich the evaluator’s toolbox.

See what’s new to this edition by selecting the Features tab on this page. Should you need additional information or have questions regarding the HEOA information provided for this title, including what is new to this edition, please email sageheoa@sagepub.com. Please include your name, contact information, and the name of the title for which you would like more information. For information on the HEOA, please go to http://ed.gov/policy/highered/leg/hea08/index.html.

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Detailed lecture notesthat align with the PowerPoint slides summarize key concepts on a chapter-by-chapter basis to help with preparation for lectures and class discussions.

EXCLUSIVE! Access to certain full-text SAGE journal articles that have been carefully selected for each chapter. Each article supports and expands on the concepts presented in the chapter. Combine cutting-edge academic journal scholarship with the topics in your course for a robust classroom experience.

"The strength of this text is its coverage of practical concerns for consideration by practitioners who are envisioning, planning, and executing program evaluations."

C.W. Cowles, Central Michigan University

Central Michigan University

“Chen has the best conceptual framework, and the quality of his writing and analysis are superb. He takes the reader through the essential steps in evaluation, with particularly valuable treatment of stakeholder involvement.”

Mario A. Rivera, University of New Mexico

University of New Mexico

“In this eminently readable book, Chen presents a strong matrix framework for conceptualizing a full range of evaluation strategies and approaches… The writing is exceptionally clear, accessible to novice evaluators, and, because it is fair-minded and principled, of relevance to seasoned evaluators as well.”

Jennifer Greene, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

"Professor Chen's Second Edition of Practical Program Evaluation sets a new standard for providing a variety of systematic frameworks for conducting high quality program evaluations. The readers will come away with a detailed understanding of both conventional and cutting-edge approaches. It is a must-read for practicing program evaluators, evaluation scholars, and students of evaluation."

Stewart I. Donaldson, Claremont Graduate University

Claremont Graduate University

“Huey Chen brings decades of evaluation and experience to this new edition. He continues his innovative and pragmatic thinking about evaluation including identifying, constructing, and testing theories that can work, that is, practical theories. Dr. Chen shows how to blend formative and summative evaluation, process and outcome evaluation, theory and action, and much more. If one desires to articulate and build program theories that work, from the bottom up, and conduct effective evaluations, this rigorous and practical book is for you."

R. Burke Johnson, University of South Alabama

University of South Alabama

“Dr. Chen’s latest effort offers evaluators a thoughtful expansion on the topics addressed in Practical Program Evaluation (2005) in terms of program theory, logic modeling, and his evaluation typology. New chapters gleaned from the field reveal solution sets for overcoming challenges in a variety of contexts while still balancing scientific and stakeholder needs. This new work provides a solid foundation for the further development of an evaluator’s acumen.”

Gregg M. Gascon, Ohio State University

Not currently teaching a course in evaluation - when I enxt do, this is my number one choice for a text!

A new comprehensive evaluation typology in Chapter 2 helps readers systematically identify stakeholders’ needs and select the evaluation options best suited to those needs.

A new Part V, Advanced Issues in Program Evaluation, includes three new chapters that help readers understand challenging issues and innovative approaches, and enhance their competencies in applying them.

New chapters introduce the innovative holistic effectuality approach as an alternative to the traditional experimentation evaluation approach for conducting real-world outcome evaluation and expand the scope of evaluation from effectuality to viability and transferability.

A new Chapter 14 explores the relative strengths and limitations of formal theories versus stakeholder theories.

A new Chapter 15 compares two approaches to evaluation and dissemination: the top-down approach versus the bottom-up approach.

The more complex evaluation theories presented in later chapters are presented in accessible language and illustrated with interesting real-world examples.

KEY FEATURES:

Illustrative examples from the field and coverage of the methods, procedures, pros, cons, and tradeoffs involved in using various evaluation options help readers put each evaluation approach into action.

The evaluation cycle is covered from start to finish: program planning, initial implementation, mature implementation, and outcomes.